Belarus jails journalist for four years over criticism of Alexander Lukashenko

In the lead-up to the upcoming elections in Belarus, scheduled for January 26, 2025, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, an exiled opposition leader, pleaded for support from the European Union during her meeting in Brussels. She emphasized that the elections, framed as democratic, will not reflect the populace's will amidst ongoing repression and the absence of conditions for free voting. The EU responded with a new financial aid package of €30 million aimed at bolstering the democratic forces and addressing human rights violations in Belarus. This announcement comes four years after significant protests against the authoritarian rule of President Alexander Lukashenko surged, following his disputed reelection in 2020, which triggered a harsh crackdown on dissent. During this period, over 65,000 people were arrested, and many political figures have been imprisoned or forced into exile, resulting in the establishment of approximately 1,300 political prisoners. In a striking case highlighting the regime's crackdown on free expression, a journalist was sentenced to four years for criticizing the president, demonstrating the dangerous environment for media professionals ahead of the upcoming vote. Despite the EU's financial support totaling €170 million since the protests began, Tsikhanouskaya warned that the oppressive environment under Lukashenko's regime will lead to sham elections devoid of genuine democratic participation.